Thumb guard



Dec. 24,1940. H. D. BELKNAP THUMB GUARD Original Filed Aug. 2, 1957 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED ism-res THUMB GUARD Hobart Dean Belknap, Portland, Oreg. I

Application August 2, 1937, Serial No. 156,832 Renewed May 10, 1940 4 Claims. (Cl. 128-133) This invention relates to improvements in a thumb or finger guard for children which is adapted to prevent a child from sucking its thumb or other fingers.

' One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is formed of rubber or other suitable firm yet flexible material which will be self-seating on the thumb, comfortable to wear, and non-inwearer.

Another object of the invention is to form a device of this character with a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs or ridges to form chan- 15 nels or air-passage ways therebetween together with a series of apertures or air-holes which will prevent the creation of a partial vacuum in the mouth of the wearer when attempting to suck its thumb.

20 Another object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the device may be quickly and conveniently attached to or removed from the hand and wrist of the wearer. This same means is also designed to allow free use and development 25 of the thumb to which it is attached.

These and other objects will appear as my invention is more fully hereinafter described in the following specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the 30 appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device showing it in operative engagement with the thumb and wrist of a user. 35 Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the device.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the draw- 40 ins:

Reference numeral 1 indicates, generally, the main body of the dew'ce which is shaped as shown in plan in Figure 1, and in section in Figure 4. The body member is of concave formation 45 throughout its length and adapted to conform to the contour of the upper half of the thumb and the adjacent part of the hand of the wearer to be self-seating thereon.

To the under side of the body member I secure 50 a fabric covering 2, by cementing or any other approved means. A portion of two edges of one end of the covering are stitched or otherwise secured together as at 3 to form a loop portion 4 to fit entirely around a portion of the thumb 55 and preferably just back of the first joint thereof jurious to the hand, fingers or mouth of the so that the uncovered portion of the thumb extending beyond the loop is free to flex in a normal manner. The opposite end of the covering is formed into two strap portions 5 and 6,each provided with suitable fastening elements such as 5 snap fasteners, or the like, for joining the two ends of the band together around the wrist of the wearer. I do not wish to be limited to the exact form of fastening means shown since obviously numerous other ways of fastening the bands together could be employed.

The outer surface of the body member is formed with a plurality of longitudinal ribs or ridges 8 to form air channels 9 therebetween through which air will be drawn as a child attempts to suck its finger. I also form a plurality of air-holes or apertures l0 through the body member to further break up any vacuum which might be created by a sucking action. The covering Z is made of loosely woven fabric or cloth such as mesh or any other suitable soft material which will be well ventilated and comfortable to the wearer and which will not obstruct any suction of air through the apertures I0.

The main body covering only one side of the thumb and being made of material which is yieldable and soft enough to prevent injury to the child, enables the child to use its thumb freely. The attaching band, as above pointed out, is

, soft, flexible and well ventilated and may be worn by the child over long periods without any discomfort. The device may be conveniently attached to or removed from the hand, and being made of rubber it is inexpensive to manufacture and sanitary to use.

While I have shown a. particular form of embodiment of my invention I am aware that many minor changes therein will suggest themselves to others skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A thumb or finger guard comprising a body member of substantially semi-circular form in cross-section and having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion, said body member adapted to embrace only the upper portion of a thumb or finger, and means for attaching the body member to the thumb or finger of a wearer.

2. A thumb or finger guard comprising a body member of substantially semi-circular form in cross-section and having enlarged end portions and a reduced intermediate portion, said body member adapted to embrace only the upper portion of a thumb or finger, and means for attaching the body member to the thumb or finger of a wearer, said means comprising a band of cylindrical form for a portion of its length to completely embrace only a portion of the thumb or finger and the remaining portion being bifurcated to embrace the wrist of a wearer.

3. A thumb or finger guard comprising a yieldable body member adapted to embrace only the upper half of the thumb or finger'of a wearer,

means for attaching the body member to the thumb or finger of the wearer, said means beingsecured to the under side of the body member ,3

and terminating at one of its ends in a cylindrical portion to entirely embrace the thumb or fingerof a wearer and its opposite end terminatingin means for embracing the hand or wrist of the wearer.

4. A thumb or finger guard comprising a body member of substantially semi-circular form in cross-section adapted to embrace only the upper half of the thumb or finger of the wearer and to overlie'the three joints thereof, means for attaching the body member to the thumb or finger and hand of the wearer, and said attaching means terminating at the first outermost joint of the thumb or finger of the wearer to permit normal movement of the thumb or finger at and beyond said outermost joint, the remaining portion of thefastening means being bifurcated and adapted to embrace the hand or wrist of the wearer.

HOBART DEAN BELKNAP. 

